Lifetime announced on Monday, June 16 6hat Disney star Zendaya Coleman was cast to play the late Aaliyah in an upcoming biopic. The casting decision left many fans shocked but also concerned for Aaliyah's family, who in the past have been against a movie being made about the R&B singer.
According to Singersroom.com, fans are so upset over the film that they are petitioning Lifetime not to go through with the movie.
"This petition is to stop the making of this Aaliyah biopic. It's wrong that Aaliyah's mother or brother didn't have a say so in this movie that is being made. The fans didn't get a say so and neither did any of Aaliyah's friends. As her fans, we're going to do anything in our power to stop this movie. Little do we know, this is hurting Mrs. Haughton and Rashad. They're about to make something that didn't even get approved from her family. That is beyond disrespectful. If you agree that this movie shouldn't be made, you need to vote. If you really respect Aaliyah, you have to respect her mother and her brothers wishes. It's only right. It was Aaliyah's life. And they're taking it too far now. We need to put a stop to this!"
So far the family has not released an official statement about the film, so it's not clear if they are against Lifetime's version but in the past the family has said that they would prefer for a movie not to be made about the singer who died at 22-years-old in a place crash.
Casting director Twinkie Byrd responded to the backlash and defended Zendaya as the lead, telling TheYBF in a statement, "Zendaya embodies everything you want in a actress to play Aaliyah. She is a Poised, Professional, STRONG Actress (studied at California Shakespeare Theater and American Conservatory Theater). A Triple Threat Actor, Singer Dancer. She LOVES AALIYAH and will do a Wonderful Job! She is of mixed ethnicity. Her name is Bantu (Zimbabwe) meaning 'To Give Thanks.' Let's not Hate on it but Congratulate! She is a GREAT CHOICE."
According to Singersroom, Byrd was behind casting films such as "Fruitvale Station," "Being Mary Jane" and "The Gabby Douglas Story." Zendaya, 17, caught wind of the backlash for the film and tweeted her own thoughts, telling fans that she wants to "honor" Aaliyah.
"She's been an inspiration and influence in my whole career, her talent still shines brighter than ever, all I wanna do is honor her. Show how much she accomplished in only 22 years... she's beautiful inside and there will never be another Aaliyah, I just hope to share her beautiful story, and make her proud up in heaven #babygirl #forever #OneInAMillion," she tweeted, adding, "I'm just a 17 year old girl who got cast to play one of the biggest inspirations #positive."
"Aaliyah: Princess of R&B" will begin filming this summer and will air in the fall on Lifetime.
